*From:                              *todd@kaercherfamily.us

*Sent:                               *Wednesday, March 28, 2012 10:55 AM

*To:                                   *Sandra Connolly

*Subject:                          *Re: Progress on Project

 

*Follow Up Flag:              *Follow up

*Flag Status:                     *Completed

 

Webcam should  still be working. 
We didn't have Foard do the install.  My GC John and his crew did the
panel install and finished 2 weeks ago. 
Currently, they are working on soffit and fascia issues, then they'll
work on concrete floor.  Windows arrive May 1.  So, perhaps we'll be
substantially done with exterior and floor in mid May. 

Since the timbers were delivered after New Year's, I think we might have
lost only 1 or 2 days due to weather.  Absolutely incredible.  As much
as I worried at trying to construct the project when everything was
getting a daily soaking and or freezing from what would have been normal
weather at this time of year, it probably wasn't any worse weather than
in our best construction weather season.  John did and excellent job
working in sections and keeping things dry (and out of the mud.)

With the understanding that I have no experience with SIPs, I was a
little disappointed with Foard, in so much as they panel facing quality
seemed poor (meaning broken edges, water damaged sections, etc).  As far
as design, there were some areas for which we had to cut the panels in
half in order to fit them up between the rafter tails and under the roof
(which seemed like a design problem), and there were dimensional
inaccuracies (again a design problem).  John seemed to take it all in
stride, however, basically rolling his eyes and saying this is what SIP
panel work is like.  However, I can't shake the feeling that it seemed a
shame to put such panels on such a beautiful timber frame design.
Speaking of which....

The beautiful work done by VTW remains evident.  Everyone who enters is
completely speechless.  People less familiar with timber frame
construction are awed at the size of elements, and the complexity of
elements coming together.  This group couldn't really get the idea that
this wasn't a pre-designed kit, (they think it must be, but then they
realize its too complicated) and that it was engineered and designed as
a one of a kind based on a sketch by Felipe. People more familiar with
construction are also awed at the accuracy of the structure, and your
ability to design and ship such a structure which was assembled with
virtually no "field adjustments".  We've had more visits by the building
inspector than necessary, because I think he enjoys screwing off and
looking at the building.  I love being able to sight down the interior
line of posts and have all of the posts visually disappear at the same
time behind the first one.  Reminds me of the joy of doing such things
at the Vatican. Felipe just asked me yesterday about my favorite visual
location, and it clearly is in the loft area where one can touch and be
up in the structure of the frame.  Again, reminds me of touring the
portico area of the Vatican, where you basically get inside the
building. Maybe I'll have to set up an espresso bar next door to
complete the feelings.

Was just thinking about you guys yesterday.  Felipe asked if he could
take some of the rafter tail cut offs home to make some sort of coffee
table as a reminder of the project.  Perhaps it is a good thing we don't
visit again, otherwise he'd fill my car with scraps from the back of
your shop.

Come by if you are ever in the neighborhood.

Regards to everyone, and thanks for your seemingly effortless ability to
deliver a wonderful structure.

Todd

On 3/28/2012 8:47 AM, Sandra Connolly wrote:

Hello Todd, thinking about you, hope things are going well on your
project J  please stay in touch, Sandy & team.

 

*Sandra Connolly*

Vermont Timber Works, Inc.

www.vermonttimberworks.com

mailto://sandy@vermonttimberworks.com <mailto:sandy@vermonttimberworks.com>

802-886-1917/ 802-886-6188